Reed Sheppard was supposed to be a long-term development piece- a spacing tool and a “nice addition.” Instead, we’re 20-something games into the season, and he’s forcing his way into Sixth Man of the Year conversations.
And it’s getting hard to ignore him.
Advertisement
Sheppard isn’t just on a hot streak- he’s been showing consistency. He has stacked efficient double-digit nights, dropped a 31-point career high on Golden State, and keeps showing up exactly when Houston needs stability. The Rockets are 10-4 in their last 14, and there is a very real argument that Houston doesn’t win half of those without his minutes steadying the offense.
But the real reason he’s entering the 6MOY chat is he’s not just a shooter- he’s a full blown problem. He attacks closeouts and his relocations are intentional. Sheppard’s passing is sharp, and defensively, he’s a menace. The subtle deflections, the lane-jumping instincts, the way he pressures ball-handlers into looking over their shoulders? That’s the kind of defense that actually swings possessions.
Sheppard fits perfectly next to Houston’s stars. Durant’s gravity frees him, Sengun’s playmaking feeds him, and Amen Thompson’s downhill chaos gives him pace he knows exactly what to do with.
Advertisement
The storyline matters too. The Rockets’ youngest core contributor is putting up veteran-level production on a winning team, and that’s the kind of thing awards voters eat up.
He’s not the favorite yet, but if he keeps closing games like this, Sheppard won’t just be in the Sixth Man of the Year race- he’ll be the one tilting it.